Entrusting us
With the resting places for their sons
The hopes of their daughters
The joys
& challenges
& Championing of community
Community and Collaboration
The Museum documents a people’s journey, and those stories are based in community. We collaborate with emerging and venerable artists, institutions, and organizations from the grassroots to the global. We seek to broaden access, explore innovative approaches to learning and teaching, and connect with all communities to share a more complete American story.
This campaign will provide additional resources to increase our partnerships with educational and community organizations to deepen the connections and understanding of the whole African American experience.
Select Programs and Initiatives
Artists-in-Residence Program
Through the visual and literary arts, music, dance, and fashion, African American creatives reflect the history and culture of their communities.
Through the Living History campaign, NMAAHC will establish a residency program to fuel that exploration. We will invite new and emerging artists to engage with the Museum’s collection, stories, exhibitions, and programming, giving them the opportunity to turn history into art while offering intriguing new interpretations of the nation’s current moment.
HBCU History and Culture Access Consortium
Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have been the backbone of African American higher education. Although their archives are treasure troves of history, most do not have the resources to train staff and properly care for their collections. NMAAHC has partnered with five HBCUs to enhance their ability to conserve and share their essential role in American culture and history.
Your generous contribution will provide funding for internships, fellowships, and professional training for underrepresented groups and establish a pipeline of future museum and archive specialists.
Family History and Community Curation Programs
Since opening in 2016, the Museum has been committed to helping people accelerate their family history journeys by teaching the techniques of African American genealogical research. Our experts offer guidance on locating records, collecting oral histories, and digital archives to help families learn about and safeguard their personal histories.
The national scope of the Community Curation program also provides invaluable documentation services to civic organizations, community groups, and religious organizations. Thanks to generous donor support, a team of Museum conservators travels the country to help these groups preserve their photographs, letters, scrapbooks, community records, and video memories through digitization.
With your help, NMAAHC can continue to provide and expand this invaluable resource for families and communities alike.